Page 9 of Sam (Eye Candy Ink)

I know that Sam won’t forget either and I’m already anticipating her making me pay for this. I deserve it, but after this shitty week, all I want is to talk to her. Too bad I just messed that up.

7

Sam

“He doesn’t havetime for me? Who the hell does he think he is? I finally give in and go see him and then he yells at me and treats me like I’m some whiny kid who’s underfoot? Hell. No,” I keep mumbling to myself as I hammer away at the computer keyboard, typing in the next client’s info. The girl in front of me looks terrified and I try to smile at her but that doesn’t seem to help.

I realize that I look crazy, mumbling to myself with a pissed off expression on my face but IAMpissed off. How dare Max treat me like that. Fuck him. This just shows that you really have to choose your person wisely. I almost gave into Max and look at how quickly he turned. Hurt slices through me when I remember the way he had talked to me at the brewhouse and I wince, pushing those thoughts away. It’s easier to feel pissed than hurt, so I’ve been trying all week to stay mad.

I think I would have written him off by now but something is holding me back. In his defense, he has been trying to apologize all week. He’s sent flowers, chocolates, and food to the shop every single night with little notes but I just throw it all away. I’ve been ignoring his calls and texts too. I’m expecting him to show up at the shop any day now. I’m actually surprised that he hasn’t but I have a feeling that Zeke told him to stay away. I didn’t tell him what happened but he knows that I came to work upset and that Max has something to do with it.

As if my thoughts have conjured him, the front door opens and there he is. His eyes are locked on me and I narrow mine as I meet their bright green gaze. He comes to a stop a few feet from the front counter and I continue to glare at him.

“I’m sorry.”

My eyes cut away from him and I notice the girl I just checked in is riveted to the scene in front of her.

“Not good enough.”

“Let me take you out.”

“Fuck. No.”

“Alright. Not tonight then. What about tomorrow?”

“Can’t, I have plans.”

“Doing what?”

“I need to dye my hair,” I say, twirling a few strands around my finger as I try to look as bored as possible.

“I can help you with that.”

“Hard pass.”

“Samantha, I’m sorry,” he says and for the first time, I notice just how tired he looks. There are dark circles under his eyes and his hair is mussed. His shirt is wrinkled and his jeans look like he might have slept in them. As I look him over, I can feel myself softening and I straighten my shoulders, steeling myself against that and holding onto my anger.

“I don’t forgive you. I’m a fucking lady and no one is allowed to talk to me that way.”

“I know. I’m so sorry and I swear that it will never happen again. How can I prove that? How can I make it up to you?”

He steps closer to the counter, his eyes pleading and an evil thought enters my mind.

“Let me pierce you.”

“Alright,” he answers right away and I try not to let the shock show on my face.

He’s got to be bluffing. Or maybe he thinks I’m going to pierce his ear or something. I wasn’t really clear but part of me wants to test him, to see how far he’s really willing to go for me.

“Hey, Nico?”

A second later, I hear Nico moving around in his room and then he pokes his head out.

“Can you watch the counter for a bit? I have a client,” I say, nodding my head towards Max.

Nico’s eyebrows raise but he just nods and comes out to take over for me.

“Right this way, Maxwell,” I say in my sweetest voice, opening the gate and leading him down the short hallway to my room.

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